Hyattsville in Prince George's County, Maryland — The American Northeast (Mid-Atlantic)

Elizabeth Keckly

1818 - 1907

— Enslaved Modiste Confidante —

Elizabeth Keckly Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Allen C. Browne, April 19, 2014

1. Elizabeth Keckly Marker

Inscription. Click to hear the inscription.

Born into slavery, Elizabeth Keckly purchased her freedom using her exceptional skills as a seamstress. After establishing her own business, she was employed as a modiste (dressmaker) by Mary Lincoln, becoming her trusted friend and confidante. Mrs. Keckly's autobiography "Behind the Scenes", provided intimate details about life inside the Lincoln White House.

Erected 2010.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: African Americans • Arts, Letters, Music • Industry & Commerce • War, US Civil • Women.

Location. 38° 54.515′ N, 76° 52.78′ W. Marker is in Hyattsville, Maryland, in Prince George's County. Marker can be reached from Sheriff Road. This marker is in Lot 115, Grave 7 in the Costen Section of National Harmony Memorial Park, 7101 Sheriff Road. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Hyattsville MD 20785, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Osborne Perry Anderson (here, next to this marker); Thomas R Hawkins (here, next to this marker); Christian A Fleetwood

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(a few steps from this marker); Veterans Memorial (about 800 feet away, measured in a direct line); This Memorial Honors Philip Reed (approx. 0.2 miles away); Marvin F. Wilson Stadium (approx. 0.6 miles away); Development at the Wilson Farm Site (approx. ¾ mile away); History of the Wilson Farm (approx. ¾ mile away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Hyattsville.

More about this marker. Mrs. Keckly was buried at Columbian Harmony Cemetery on Euclid Street Northwest, where the Rhode Island Avenue Metro Station is today. When the cemetery was closed and sold in 1960, Mrs. Keckly's body along with all those buried at Columbia Harmony Cemetery were moved here to National Harmony Memorial Park in Landover where they were reburied in a mass grave. This monument was dedicated on May 26, 2010.

Also see . . .
1. Lincoln seamstress Elizabeth Keckly given Largo grave marker. By Liz Skalski, The Gazette Thursday, June 3, 2010. (Submitted on April 23, 2014, by Allen C. Browne of Silver Spring, Maryland.)

2. Behind the scenes (1868) by Elizabeth Keckley. at Internet Archive. (Submitted on April 23, 2014, by Allen C. Browne of Silver Spring, Maryland.)

Photographed By Allen C. Browne, April 19, 2014

2. Elizabeth Keckly Marker

Elizabeth Keckly image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Allen C. Browne, April 19, 2014

3. Elizabeth Keckly

Close-up of photo on marker

Credits. This page was last revised on November 29, 2021. It was originally submitted on April 23, 2014, by Allen C. Browne of Silver Spring, Maryland. This page has been viewed 565 times since then and 62 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on April 23, 2014, by Allen C. Browne of Silver Spring, Maryland. • Bill Pfingsten was the editor who published this page.